Short-term rentals in Sunnyvale: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Sunnyvale's code says

Sunnyvale code What Sunnyvale's code adds
Allowed	Only hosted rentals are allowed. Applies: Director-approved hosted rentals in zones that allow homes; the host must live on site. All other short-term rentals are banned. § 19.76.030 · code text The short-term rental of residential property is a prohibited use in every zoning district in the city, with the exception of approved hosted rentals permitted pursuant to this chapter.
Permit or registration	Director approval of the short-term rental is required. Applies: Hosted short-term rentals. § 19.76.040 · code text The short-term rental activity must be approved by the director pursuant to Section 19.76.050.
Primary residence	Yes. The host must live on site during the whole stay. Applies: Hosted short-term rentals; the property must be the host's primary residence. § 19.76.040 · code text The host shall reside on site throughout the lodgers' stay. To reside on site means that the property being used for short-term rentals is the host's primary residence and the host uses the property for purposes of eating, sleeping, and other activities of daily living during the time periods that lodgers are present.

Who this affects

TenantsLandlordsProperty managers

Frequently asked questions

Can I rent out my home short-term in Sunnyvale?

Sunnyvale allows only director-approved hosted short-term rentals, with the host living on site during the whole stay; all others are banned.

Short-term rentals in Sunnyvale

Key points

What Sunnyvale's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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